"Now it's your turn to look at those elements and those priorities to see where you can help."

US pressure on Syria

The role of Iraq's neighbouring countries was also mentioned in the final statement.

The conference called for more co-operation between Iraq and its neighbours in controlling the borders, and urged all countries to restore diplomatic ties with Baghdad.

But US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice took a swipe at Syria, urging it to "live up to its responsibilities" in preventing militants from crossing into Iraq.

The EU and US said the aim of the conference was to give Iraq an opportunity to explain to the world what assistance it needed.

The meeting was also seen as a way for the US and Europe to put past differences over Iraq behind them.

"A democratic process is taking place that is vital for us, whether you were against the war or not," German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer told reporters.

Ms Rice earlier said the international community would "support the Iraqi government along three important fronts - political reform, economic reconstruction and strengthening security with the rule of law".

The Brussels gathering was not a donors' conference - that will be held in Jordan next month.